Waters Doesn't Start, Rotates At Guard In Cowboys Debut

KANSAS CITY – It’s not a regular occurrence to have so many eyes focused on the interior of the offensive line. But when an 11-year veteran makes his debut with the Cowboys in a palce he spent 10 years of his career, all eyes were fixed on the guard spot.

Brian Waters played his first game with the Cowboys Sunday against his former team, although he didn’t start. The club went with Mackenzy Bernadeau as the starter at right guard, although Waters played the second series and then a few more in the second half as well.

“It felt good to get out there again,” said Waters, who played his first game since the 2011 season. “Really the best thing that happened to me was getting blown up on a kickoff. That’s when I realized I was really back playing football again – taking a hit like that.”

Waters’ first drive with the Cowboys resulted in a touchdown late in the first quarter. However, it would prove to be the team’s only touchdown of the day.

“We anticipated Brian playing some in the first half and then again in the second,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “We didn’t want him to play too many snaps. He has practiced some in the last two weeks and he felt good about it. We just wanted to get him in there working. It seemed like he did a good job and it seemed like he handled it Ok.”

Waters said he knew the plan coming into the game and that he would rotate.

“You never really know how your body is going to respond until you get out there,” Waters said. “I felt good going in and I think it went Ok. But there’s always stuff to fix. And we’ll do that.”

Waters played from 2000-10 with the Chiefs before spending the 2011 season in New England. The six-time Pro Bowler said there were so emotions about facing his former team, but the majority of his excitement stemmed from simply playing in the league once again.

“My engine was revved up for sure,” Waters said. “But it really wouldn’t have been any different if I was playing anywhere else. Obviously playing here had a little bit of influence on me, but not really. I would’ve been excited like this if my first game back was anywhere else.” After the game, Waters seemed to hold court in the locker room with his new offensive-line teammates. Waters had a quiet conversation with fellow youngsters Ron Leary, Jermey Parenll, Darrion Weems and Tyron Smith doing the majority of the listening.

Whether Waters or Bernadeau was playing right guard, the Cowboys struggled to run the ball, gaining only 37 yards on 16 attempts.